Firefighter Average Income

• The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the average annual income of firefighters was $47,270 in May 2009. This translates into an hourly wage of $22.72. The median income of firefighters was $45,050, meaning half of workers in the occupation made more than $45,050 and half earned less.
  
  

Firefighter Income Range

• The income of firemen varies depending on experience, career level, education and other factors. BLS data show that the top 10 percent of firefighters in terms of income earned made $74,390 or more in May 2009, while the bottom 10 percent earned $22,990 or less. Half of all firefighters earned between $32,000 and $59,650.
  
  

Government-Employed Firemen

• Firemen are employed at all levels of the government. BLS statistics show that local governments employ the vast majority of firemen (more than 275,000 workers in May 2009) and that firefighters who work for local governments earned an average annual income of $47,860. Firefighters who work for the federal executive branch of the government earned an average annual income of $48,150, while firemen working for state governments earned an average annual income of $42,150.
  
  

Top-Paying States

• The BLS states that the top-paying states for firefighters in May 2009 were New Jersey, California, Washington, New York and Nevada. The average annual incomes of workers in these states were $71,810, $66,950, $62,950, $59,400 and $56,250, respectively.
  
  

Supervisors and Managers

• Firefighting supervisors and managers oversee firemen and coordinate them to help respond to emergencies. According to BLS data, first-line supervisors and managers of fire prevention workers earned an average annual income of $71,680 in May 2009. Just 10 percent of workers in the field made $109,750 or more, while 10 percent made $41,680 or less.